Favorite Game Setup

play in browser

I recommend this mock SNES wireless USB controller made by Saffun, it comes in a 2-pack for $30 (quality build for a $15 controller, noticeably better than a similar wired version I bought from Rii for $10... however those are still pretty good for $5 each). I've noticed a major yet subtle button difference is the physical indentation of the x and y buttons on the Saffun controller, whereas others forgot this detail. I also bought the ones I did because they didn't have a brand name printed on them. Note that many of these USB wireless controllers still need the USB-C adapter but that could change soon. 

On any controller, my game requires a joystick or direction pad and four main buttons (could easily be crammed into two buttons using combinations) for each of the following:

• ok
• run
• back
• menu

Pretty simple!

The mock SNES controller provides an ideal button arrangement and number of buttons for my game, although the L and R controls are superfluous and do absolutely nothing digital; they do provide a bit of give and cushion for grip. I have bigger hands than the average person, and most retro handhelds are too small for me these days (the original GameBoy and much smaller GameBoy Color are still fine though). The mock SNES controllers I've tried by different brands are great for many reasons but they are also slightly larger than my 8-BitDo, making them even easier to use. Plugging the USB receiver into my tablet or phone does not work, so this controller is for play on a computer only. It works on my Mac by attaching a USB-C adapter, which doesn't slow or negatively affect the connection. I use my laptop as a console, playing the application fullscreen, dimming it and attaching an HDMI cord to a monitor to play on a TV, simulating a super high quality, 21st century SNES experience if I do say so myself--being a 90s kid, this is pretty sweet. You can save in infinite slots in the desktop version, so it really is like your laptop is a 21st century gaming console. AirPlay is still not quite there to stream smoothy without the HDMI cord but it technically does work and higher streaming speeds will be here soon.

2nd favorite way to play:

Tied with playing on a good old fashioned computer keyboard  for 2nd place, the 8-BitDo is recommended for playing my game on any tablet or phone using play-in-browser with bluetooth. Depending on the way you are playing the game--browser versus desktop, for example, though streaming on Twitch changes it again--the mapping can be a little screwy, like requiring a quick x+y and hold the y to run, so that y can be run and the menu while x is an empty button. I've just learned there is a clip for the 8-BitDo that attaches it to your phone, I'll have to try that out.

The 8-BitDo has two joysticks and a d-pad, and playing my game only requires one. Usually the d-pad and one of the joysticks will work, but I've also had one of two joysticks work and the d-pad won't work... So anyway, my second favorite way to play is easier to set up but harder to use sometimes.

Update: the touch screen function of this game has improved, however it is still very small on a phone screen and a larger touch surface is ideal.

<3 FearlessDibbles